After Titan and his tribe, the Strength Clan, briefly tended to their wounds, they left their base and set off toward their ancestral homeland.
They arrived at the ancestral shrine of the Strength Clan. This place once honored the clan's forebears—not particularly outstanding individuals. Ironically, the strongest among them was Titan himself. After he pledged allegiance to Tang Hao, Titan had even commissioned a domineering and majestic clay statue of Tang Hao, which was placed above the ancestral figures. Beside it, two bold lines were inscribed:
"Lofty Clear Sky Sect,
Clear Sky Hammer in Hand,"
with the side note: "Lord of the Strength Clan – Tang Hao."
Standing at the front of the group, Titan looked up at the high-placed statue of Tang Hao. Emotions surged in him, and tears streamed down his aged face.
Unable to hold back, Taiming asked, "Clan Head, why can't we just join the Body Sect? Wouldn't it be better to receive their protection? Why go this far?"
As soon as the words left his mouth, Titan smacked Taiming hard across the face, sending him flying and crashing heavily to the ground.
"Taiming, how many times have I said this? Since our Strength Clan has already sworn loyalty to Tang Hao, then from generation to generation, it is our honor to serve him and his descendants. How dare you even consider betrayal?" Titan roared in fury.
Then his gaze swept over the rest of the clan behind him, his voice turning icy cold: "Who just said they wanted to leave the Strength Clan and join the Body Sect? Step forward now! Don't make me drag each of you out one by one!"
Even though he had lost an arm, Titan—a Soul Douluo-level powerhouse—still held absolute authority over the Strength Clan.
Under his threat, some couldn't withstand the pressure and stepped forward, one after another, until no one else moved.
Titan's eyes grew even colder. "Don't think I don't know who you are," he growled.
Several more, unable to endure the tension, stepped forward.
Titan then swept a cold glare over those who remained motionless. Their bodies trembled as he walked into the crowd, yanked out one young clan member like grabbing a chick, and tossed him to the ground.
"Kneel," Titan barked at them.
Trembling, they knelt in the direction of the ancestral shrine, toward the clay statue of Tang Hao.
Titan stepped in front of them and dropped to one knee before the statue. He kowtowed several times, tears streaming down his face, and cried:
"Master… this old servant is guilty. I failed to watch over the Royal Clan, the Agility Clan, and the Break Clan. I let them join the Body Sect. I failed to discipline my people. Now some of our Strength Clan dare act like rebellious servants, shaming you… it is this old servant's fault."
With that, he slapped himself hard across the face with his only remaining hand.
"Master, do not worry. Today, I shall punish these disloyal fools on your behalf."
Then he stood up, and with a flick of his hand, grabbed a large iron whip bristling with spikes.
Titan's cold gaze fell upon the kneeling group as he approached them.
At the sight of the spiked whip, they broke out in cold sweat.
Titan walked up to one of them, who immediately begged, "Clan Head, no! I won't do it again, please, don't hit me!"
"Too late."
With a swing of the whip, Titan struck. Flesh tore, blood sprayed.
"Urgh—AHHHHH—!"
Within the ancestral shrine, the crack of the whip and screams of agony echoed without end.
Hours later, a few had been beaten to death by Titan. The rest were barely clinging to life.
Pointing at the bloodied bodies, Titan shouted to the clan:
"Remember this well! This is the fate of traitors who dare betray their master. Next time, I will show no mercy!"
The Strength Clan members all shrank back, burying their resentment deep within. "Yes, Clan Head," they replied.
After disciplining the clan, Titan returned home—only to hear crying.
He entered and saw his son and grandson sobbing.
"What are you crying for? You're grown men! It's just a lost arm!"
Taino looked at Titan and shouted, "Father! Don't you realize? Tai Long and I were both… castrated! Just like you! Our bloodline is finished!"
"What?" The words struck Titan like a bolt of lightning. He froze.
He had been too focused on punishing the rebels earlier and hadn't realized that both his son and grandson had suffered the same fate—emasculated, turned into eunuchs.
"Let me see." Titan rushed to Tai Long and pulled down his pants. Indeed, everything was gone.
"Waaa… It's all gone, Grandpa… gone…" Tai Long wept bitterly.
"Our lineage… is finished," Taino said in anguish.
A painful expression twisted Titan's face. He had thought it was just him—a meaningless loss for an old man. But now, with both his son and grandson's lineages severed, his entire branch was truly doomed.
"Grandpa…" Tai Long, eyes red from crying, asked through sobs, "Why? Why must we be slaves to Tang Hao? If we had joined the Body Sect, I wouldn't have become a eunuch…"
Without thinking, Titan slapped Tai Long hard, knocking him to the ground.
"Father, what are you doing?" Taino shouted in anger.
Looking at his weeping grandson, Titan's heart ached, but loyalty to his master came before everything. He said to Tai Long:
"This is discipline. Our clan must take pride in serving Tang Hao and his descendants. How can you speak such treasonous words?"
Tai Long cried even harder.
Titan looked at him with pain in his heart. He didn't want to hurt his beloved grandson, so he spoke gently:
"Tai Long, one day, when you meet Tang Hao, you'll understand how truly great he is. Serving him is the highest honor we can have."
As he spoke, Titan was struck again by the grief of their situation. Thinking of Tang Hao, a Soul Douluo capable of slaying Title Douluo, he took his son and grandson outside, knelt in the direction where Tang Hao was last seen, and pressed Tai Long's head to the ground, forcing all three of them to kowtow three times.
Beneath the moonlight, Titan cried out in grief:
"Master… if you were still here, how could our Strength Clan have suffered such humiliation? Please… we beg you to return and bring justice to your loyal servants…"
The sight was like a stray dog, abandoned by its master, howling in the night.
Under Zhao Quan's guidance, Yang Wudi, Niu Gao, and Bai He arrived at the Body Sect Sect's location, hidden among the continuous mountain range along the border between the Heaven Dou Empire and the Star Luo Empire.
They climbed a long flight of steps, and as the surrounding peaks were wrapped in mist, they looked up to see a magnificent structure perched atop the mountain.
Along the way, Zhao Quan explained to them the concept of the Body Sect Martial Soul Hall, which opened the trio's eyes.
"I never thought there could be a type of martial soul that uses the body itself," Niu Gao exclaimed in surprise.
"I recall once meeting a girl with unusual eyes. She underwent a martial soul awakening and had high soul power, yet no martial soul," Yang Wudi said thoughtfully. "Now that I think about it, she must've had an Body Sect martial soul—specifically one of the top-tier eye-type martial souls."
At this point, Yang Wudi sighed.
"Without a cultivation method for Body Sect martial souls, how many people with potential were left behind...?"
"An eye-type martial soul?" Zhao Quan asked, surprised. "Do you know where that girl is now?"
"I remembered her because of the tragic end she met," Yang Wudi said. "She was captured by a Heaven Dou Empire slave-hunting squad. Because of her pure, unique eyes—and the fact that she had no martial soul—she became a rare commodity and was bought by Prince Xue Xing. Then..."
"Then what?" Zhao Quan nearly lost control of his temper at the mention of the slave hunters.
"Prince Xue Xing had a taste for unique and unusual slaves. He liked those who retained beast-like traits after martial soul awakening. That girl caught his eye due to her innocent and pure gaze. After falling into his hands, the outcome..." Yang Wudi couldn't go on. He could feel Zhao Quan's fury building.
"Speak," Zhao Quan demanded.
"She was... discarded. According to those depraved Heaven Dou nobles, she was played to death..." Yang Wudi said darkly.
"Despicable Heaven Dou nobles," Zhao Quan said through gritted teeth.
Upon entering the Body Sect Sect, the four clans saw many Body Sect martial soul users training diligently.
After decades of development, the Body Sect Sect had grown to include over a thousand Body Sect martial soul soul masters.
Aside from the initial group scouted by Huo Yuhao using his Eye of Destiny, the sect had since relied on secret collaborations with the Spirit Hall to acquire awakening data and recruit new talents.
In the main hall, Huo Qiqiang sat on the sect master's seat. Beside him stood titled douluos Lu Yuan and Xiao Zhi, along with a number of elder members of the Body Sect Sect. Among them were three titled douluos and several soul douluo-level elders.
At this point, the Body Sect Sect had strength rivaling the former Clear Sky Sect, making it a true superpower among sects.
"Sect Master, I've brought the three clan leaders," Zhao Quan reported.
"Well done," Huo Qiqiang nodded.
Zhao Quan returned to the lineup as Yang Wudi, Bai He, and Niu Gao knelt on one knee.
"Greetings, Sect Master," they said in unison.
"Do you have any objections regarding my handling of the Li Clan?" Huo Qiqiang asked.
"We dare not," the three leaders bowed their heads.
"Good. Since your three clans have joined the Body Sect Sect, you are now part of this family," Huo Qiqiang said. "Yang Wudi."
"Yes, sir."
"Your Po (Destruction) Clan excels at alchemy. From now on, your clan will be responsible for refining and selling medicinal pills, contributing a valuable revenue stream for the Body Sect Sect."
"Understood."
"Niu Gao."
"Here."
"Your Yu (Defense) Clan is skilled at building fortresses. The sect's secular establishments will be entrusted to your clan."
"Understood."
"Bai He."
"Yes."
"Your Min (Agility) Clan is known for its speed. From now on, intelligence and communication tasks will be your responsibility."
"Understood."
"As for sincere loyalty, this Sect Master is not stingy with rewards. Take these," Huo Qiqiang said, casually tossing three pills to the trio.
They caught them and immediately smelled the rich medicinal fragrance.
"These soul pills were refined from several grade-eight and grade-nine spirit herbs. They cleanse the meridians and enhance soul power and potential. Just know this: their effects are strong enough to help you, Niu Gao and Bai He, break through to titled douluo level."
Then Huo Qiqiang looked at Yang Wudi.
"Although this pill can't help you break your martial soul's limitation for now, the Body Sect Sect possesses a celestial-grade treasure that may elevate your Po Soul Spear. Whether you can obtain it depends on your contributions."
These words lit a fire in Yang Wudi's heart, filling him with longing for the celestial item.
Their Po Soul Spear had a cap at level 89. Without that restriction, they would never have had to bow to the Clear Sky Sect. Perhaps, they could even have contended for the title of the strongest weapon-type martial soul in the world.
"Also, take this celestial herb to aid in alchemy," Huo Qiqiang said, retrieving a Fragrant Delicate Immortal Herb from his soul tool and sending it into Yang Wudi's hands using soul power.
"This is..." Yang Wudi stared in awe at the herb just inches away, completely stunned. In his world at that moment, there was nothing but the celestial herb.
A hand pulled him back to reality.
"Old Goat, time to go," Niu Gao reminded.
"Oh, yes, yes," Yang Wudi quickly stored the herb and, along with Bai He and Niu Gao, bowed in gratitude and exited the main hall.
Outside, the clan leaders took a breath of the fresh mountain air.
"I can already feel the pill working. After all these years, my bottleneck is loosening. Maybe I really can become a Titled Douluo," Niu Gao said.
"Same here. That realm always felt out of reach. Never thought I'd have a shot," Bai He said, then chuckled self-deprecatingly. "But with my awful soul ring setup, I might be the weakest titled douluo out there."
"Even the weakest titled douluo is stronger than a soul douluo," Niu Gao replied. "It seems we made the right decision. The Body Sect Sect treats us far better than the Clear Sky Sect ever did."
"Indeed."
As the two lamented, a strange, lovestruck voice echoed nearby:
"Hehe... Fragrant Delicate Immortal Herb... hehe..."
Turning their heads, they were stunned to see Yang Wudi cuddling the celestial herb against his rough old face, nuzzling it while muttering:
"Hehe... Fragrant Delicate Immortal Herb... I've finally got you... hehe..."
"Old Goat, what's gotten into you?" Bai He asked. Yang Wudi replied excitedly, "Do you know? The grant Delicate Immortal Herb—I've been searching for it for ages, and finally, it's in my hands!"
"What's the use of that? Is it really worth going crazy over?" Niu Gao asked in confusion.
"This is an immortal treasure that renders one immune to all poisons! With this, I can freely and fearlessly develop medicines without worrying about being harmed by toxins. Hahahahaha!" Yang Wudi laughed.
Niu Gao and Bai He suddenly understood. Given Yang Wudi's obsession with pharmacology, it was no surprise he'd go wild over something like thegrant Delicate Immortal Herb.
"We didn't make the wrong choice. It's just… why is Old Titan still so stubborn?" Bai He shook his head and continued, "What's so great about Tang Hao's background anyway?"
Niu Gao could only say, "The Old Titan is set in his ways. Once he pledges loyalty, he never betrays. Let's hope he doesn't end up regretting his choice."
A hidden sect had reappeared, offering protection to the four single-element clans that had once belonged to the Clear Sky Sect and even repelled the ever-rising Spirit Hall. Word of this began to spread across the continent.
Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo, upon returning to Spirit Hall, knelt before the Grand Worshipper and said, "Grand Worshipper, this failure is ours to bear."
Qian Daoliu nodded slightly and said, "No matter. The emergence of the Body Sect is indeed unexpected. Given such a surprise, your failure is understandable. What matters now is carefully considering how Spirit Hall should handle its relationship with them."
"Chrysanthemum Douluo, Ghost Douluo, Bibi Dong's spirit power has reached Rank 90. The next soul hunt mission will be entrusted to you."
"As you command, Grand Worshipper."
The people of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect never expected that Ning Fengzhi would bring a funeral back with him after attending one at the Clear Sky Sect.
Kuang Xi and Man Niu, two elder Title Douluos of the sect, were nearing the end of their lifespans, yet met a tragic and dishonorable end.
Following the Clear Sky Sect and Spirit Hall, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect also began to hang white mourning banners.
After returning from Spirit Hall, Ning Fengzhi wasn't himself. His eyes were sunken, dark circles ringed them, and he looked mentally and physically exhausted. His hair had started to thin—it was clear he had lost a lot recently.
At the funeral, Ning Fengzhi wept bitterly over the coffins of the two fallen Title Douluos.
"Grandpa Kuang Xi, Grandpa Man Niu… Fengzhi has failed you. I swear I will avenge you."
Once the two were buried, Gu Rong could no longer hold back and said:
"Fengzhi, I'm not blaming you, but… why did we have to involve ourselves in the feud between Spirit Hall and the Clear Sky Sect? That's not our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's affair."
With a gloomy face, Ning Fengzhi said, "The Clear Sky Sect has been in decline since the time of Tang Chen, while Spirit Hall continues to grow stronger. The balance of power on the continent is shifting. Now they use the mere excuse of Tang Hao to try and wipe out one of the three upper sects—if the Clear Sky Sect falls, what will become of us and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan? When the lips are gone, the teeth feel the cold. How could I stand by and watch them perish?"
With that, he walked over to the window of the sect's main hall, his back to the two Title Douluos, and said, "Only if the three upper sects and the two empires unite and stand as one can we check Spirit Hall's ever-growing ambition."
"But… judging from the fact that Spirit Hall dispatched three Grand Worshippers, your intervention or lack thereof wouldn't have changed the outcome for the Clear Sky Sect. Instead..."
Instead, we lost two Title Douluos for nothing and suffered humiliation—Chen Xin couldn't bring himself to finish the sentence, worried he'd provoke Ning Fengzhi.
With his back to Chen Xin and Gu Rong, Ning Fengzhi's face twisted in anguish as he said, "How could I have known that Spirit Hall would act so swiftly and decisively? I thought that by invoking the name of the Three Upper Sects, Spirit Hall would at least show some restraint, back off, and we could save the Clear Sky Sect—thus keeping a counterbalance to Spirit Hall's power for the future. I never expected…"
Strictly speaking, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect didn't suffer a huge loss—Man Niu and Kuang Xi were already on the brink of death.
What was truly lost was Ning Fengzhi's dignity and face.
He remembered being slapped in front of everyone by Demon-Suppressing Douluo, and that mocking line—"I gave you a chance, and you blew it, just like a father scolding his son."
He remembered how, just to survive, he had knelt before the Demon-Suppressing Douluo in front of the entire crowd and called him "Grandpa."
That moment shattered every ounce of his composure, dignity, and pride.
Just thinking of the humiliation made a flush rise on Ning Fengzhi's usually elegant face.
"This won't do. Spirit Hall is too ambitious. We must unite every possible ally, stand together, and rise or fall as one.
Only by doing so can we curb Spirit Hall's expanding ambitions." Ning Fengzhi said. When he uttered "stand together," he practically ground the words out through gritted teeth.
Clearly, the humiliation he suffered at the Clear Sky Sect's funeral had nearly driven him mad.
"But..." Chen Xin said, "Among the Three Upper Sects, the Clear Sky Sect is basically done for. That leaves only us and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. Altogether, we have what—three Title Douluos? The number of Title Douluos in Spirit Hall is still unknown. Even if we did unite all forces, we might not be able to resist them."
"Then what should I do? Should the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect kneel to Spirit Hall and offer tribute to surrender?" Ning Fengzhi shot back.
"That's not what I mean," Chen Xin replied. "What I mean is—until we find a better strategy to counter Spirit Hall, perhaps we should lie low for now. After all, the first bird out of the forest gets shot."
In the main hall, Ning Fengzhi paced back and forth, clutching his thinning hair, muttering,
"In the end, it's all because the Clear Sky Sect lost Tang Chen."
He yearned for that era when Tang Chen still led the Clear Sky Sect. Although Spirit Hall was powerful then, it couldn't dominate the continent. At that time, the Clear Sky Sect united the Three Upper Sects, supported the Star Luo Empire, and stood equal to Spirit Hall.
Those were glorious days.
As Ning Fengzhi mourned the golden age when the Clear Sky Sect led the Three Upper Sects in standing against Spirit Hall, a member of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect in charge of intelligence walked in and reported:
"Patriarch, there's news. The Body Sect has resurfaced."